Syringe



(No Model.)

B. G. WETHER'BEE.

SYRINGE.

Patented-Oct. 3'1, 189

' Nr'reo mares EMERY G. WETHERBEE, OF PAINESVILLE, OHIO.

SYRINGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 507,573, dated October 31, 1893.

Application filed December 5, 1892. Serial No. 454,153. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, EMERY G. WETHERBEE, of Painesville, county of Lake, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Syringes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vaginal syringes employed for cleansing the vagina by floodthey fail in most cases to efiectually close the mouth of the vagina, and thus render it impossible to distend the walls by injecting fluid to an extent sufficient to remove the folds.

My present invention has for its object to overcome these difficulties and embodies a simple and effectual construction which is adapted to properly close the mouth of the vagina.

The invention also consists in various improvements designed to render the device as a whole simple and inexpensiveand its operation perfect and effectual.

The invention also consists in the details of construction, and the combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents an elevation of asyringe constructed in accordance with my invention as .it appears when in use. Fig. 2 is a longi tudinal central section through the same on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on the line wa: of Fig. 2.

A, represents a rigid tube which is adapted to be inserted into the mouth of the vagina, and B, represents a sleeve which is constructed preferably of thin steel, aluminum, or other flexible material and provided with a series of longitudinal incisions between its ends at suitable intervals apart. The inner end of this sleeve is fixed to the tube A, adjacent to its end, while the other end of the sleeve is free to slide thereon, the arrangement being such that as the free end of the cylinder is moved toward its fixed end the sections between the incisions will be bent outward as shown. Over these sections is applied a covering 0, impervious to water, and preferably of an elastic material. This covering, when the ends of the sleeve are apart, will fit snugly around the same, but on the free end of the sleeve being moved, the sections expanding will distend the covering and form a continuous impervious bulb or globe.

In practice the end of the tube with the expanding sleeve is inserted within the mouth of the vagina, and the free end of the sleeve moved forward. The effect will be to expand the covering tightly against the mouth of the vagina, and form in connection therewith a water tight stopper. The injecting fluid may then be forced into the vagina and its escape being prevented by the expanded sleeve, the requisite distension of the walls may be offected and completely filled. The free end of the sleeve is held at different positions on the rigid tube A, by providing the latter with a series of sockets which are adapted to receive a spring actuated finger E, carried by the cylinder.

In order that the inner end of the tube within the vagina may be maintained in its proper position and prevented from moving inward to an objectionable extent, I employ a shield F, which is carried by the sleeve and extends therefrom outward. The outer edges of this shield, as the sleeve is moved, will engage the person and act to hold the tube fixedly inposition.

The cleansing fluid may be supplied by a fountain H, or by an injecting ball of the usual and well known construction, and I have provided an improved coupling device by means of which either the fountain or ball may be used as desired. This coupling consists of an exteriorly -threaded sleeve Lin which is screwed two tubes 1', t", which are provided in their ends with cocks K, K, to close the openings therein. The end of the tube 4., is adapted to be inserted into the end of a flexible tube L, leading from the rigid injector tube, while the end of the tube 11 is adapted to receive the fountain H. Under this construction it will be noted that when ICO a sufficient quantity of cleansing fluid has been injected the discharge is eflfected through the tube L, by unscrewing the collar I, and thereby disconnecting the fountain and the tube '6, carried thereby, the water remaining in the fountain being prevented from escaping by closing the cock K. By providing the fountain with a stopper Z, it may be used it being but necessary when the discharge is to be effected to unscrew the collar and disconnect the fountain.

Vhile I have shown and described my syringe as being embodied in its preferred form, it is to be understood that various changes that will suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art may be made without departing from the limits of the invention, provided the operation of the device will be substantially as indicated above.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isa In a syringe, the combination of the injecting tube, the flexible sleeve thereon slitted longitudinally between its ends to form a series of flexible longitudinal sections, said sleeve having its ends relatively movable and an impervious covering applied over the sections.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 5th day of November, 1892, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

EMERY G. WETI-IERBEE.

WVitnesses:

O. J. SCOTT, Gno. A. BATES. 

